Measuring Flow Rates with a Pitot Tube
A pitot tube determines the velocity of a fluid by measuring the fluid’s stagnation pressure. In this simulation, stagnation pressure is measured with a manometer. The height differential in the manometer is a function of the manometer fluid density, and the flowing fluid’s kinetic energy. Bernoulli’s equation relates these terms, and is used to solve for velocity. Vary the manometer fluid (green) height or the velocity of the fluid in the pipe (blue) to see how each variable is related. Also, use a slider to vary the density of the fluid in the manometer.
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About:
This simulation was made at the University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. Authors: Jon Barbieri, Rachael L. Baumann
View the source code for this simulation